FESTIVAL OF TREES........NOVEMBER, 2011

This is an event our city has held for 21 years. The purpose is to raise funds for health services in our city. In 2010, $210,000 was raised. As yet, the figures for 2011 haven't been published. In the past, it has been held at one location. In 2011, however, they decided it was time to try something different. So, they called it 'City Sidewalks' and almost all the events were held in the downtown core. Most of the shop owners participated and many of the events were held at a local upscale nightlife spot, called 'The Venue'. It was indeed different and feedback was both positve and negative about the changes.I've had the privilege of designing, donating and decorating a tree which is offered up for sale, auctioned or raffled off. I have done this for the past four years. Along with the funds raised, many people enjoy some or all of the events that take place over most of a week. Last year, it was held the last week of November. Here is the link to see what it was all about..

www.pfot.org

I just love coming up with new ideas for the tree I do. This year was no different. I decided on a white tree with orange, rust and crystals to add impact. For the event, the venue is dimly lit, so the lights and decor from the trees really pops. As each year has passed, the Festival of Trees committee tell me they look forward to seeing what I come up with and say they aren't disappointed. Fortunately, each year my tree sells fairly quickly..whew! Here is my tree for 2011!

LONG LUNCH JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY ART SHOW... AUGUST 20 AND 21ST

This has been a very tough week for me personally, but I have to regroup and get ready for a juried art show I've entered in Warkworth, Ontario for August 20th and 21st.

Last year at this show, I placed second and was so thrilled! It was my first win and there was a cash prize as well. That was the icing, so to speak. What meant more to me was validation that I'm on the right track doing what I love to do! The judge for this show is a photographer for MacLean's magazine. Here is the photo I won with:

As an added bonus the show committee selected this photo to be the cover for the poster and flyers and such for this year's show.

I always find it difficult to select which pieces of work to put in every time I enter a show. After a lot of thought, and many changes of mind, I finally picked three(which is the maximum you can enter). I picked a scenic shot, a nature shot, and one that I think is cool, but pretty random in category.

(MORNING FOG)

(HOLDING PATTERN)

(RELIEF)

It would be great to win or place, both for the recognition and the money, but I truly enjoy the judges critiques after they make their selections to learn for the next time....and I do try to learn something.

I have found both a website and a Facebook page called 'Photography Talk' It is fantastic and I've joined(free) and there's an amazing group of photographers willing to give input and support from all over the world. I'll post more at a later date, when I'm more comfortable with it.

This week I put new works in at the Kawartha Tourism Centre and put three framed pieces in a wonderful gift and decor shop called Bridget Anastasia's in the local area. If you live in the area, check it out. She has wonderful art, gifts and decor items that are quite different from the normal gift shops.